U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, has introduced the Ending Legacy Lawsuit Abuse Act, which he said would prevent plaintiffs’ lawyers for legacy oil and gas lawsuits from “venue shopping” for friendly courts.

“It’s no secret our oil and gas industry is struggling. Legacy lawsuits destroy jobs while enriching plaintiff lawyers who abuse the system,” Boustany said in a statement issued Tuesday. “We must put a stop to these unfair lawsuits which extort oil and gas companies and harm Louisiana’s economy.”